Who Wrote The Quran?
Have you ever wondered about the origins of the Quran, and Who Wrote The Quran? the central religious text of Islam? Explore the intriguing question of authorship and revelation as we delve into the historical and theological perspectives surrounding this sacred scripture. Gain insights into the Islamic belief in divine revelation and the transmission of the Quranic text through Prophet Muhammad. Join us on a journey to uncover the complexities and mysteries behind one of the world’s most influential religious texts.
The direct answer to Who wrote the Quran? that it is the word of God as received by the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. Muhammad ﷺ himself did not write the revelations; instead, several of his trusted companions acted as scribes. These scribes documented the revelations on various materials available at the time, such as parchment, palm leaves, and bones.
After Muhammad’s ﷺ death, the first Caliph, Abu Bakr رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ , initiated the collection of these writings into a single manuscript to preserve the Quran. This task was continued by the third Caliph, Uthman ibn Affanرَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ , who standardized the Quranic text to ensure uniformity in the Islamic empire.
For a deeper dive into the compilation of the Holy Quran, consider exploring The History of the Compilation of the Holy book, which provides additional insights and scholarly perspectives.
Preservation of the Quran: Memorization and Written Record in Early Islam.
Preserving the original text of the Quran was crucial. The revelation began in 610 CE and ended in 632 CE, just before the Prophet passed away. During that time, there were no means to preserve texts, and literacy was low in Arabia, with few people able to write.
Therefore, memorization became the primary method of preserving the Quran. Arabs were skilled at memorizing important texts, much like they memorized poems by famous poets. This skill formed the foundation for preserving the Quran’s words. At the same time, Prophet Muhammad ﷺ also instructed his companions (Sahabah رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ ) to write down these Divine words.
The Quran Last Divine Revelation and Guidance for Humanity
The Quran is not just the most sacred book for Muslims; it’s also special because it’s the final Divine Book. sent down to earth for the benefit and guidance of mankind. Prophet Muhammad ﷺ is the last Prophet and Messenger of Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى and the Quran is the last Divine words that were revealed to him.The Quran was revealed to Prophet Muhammad ﷺ gradually over approximately 23 years.
History of the Writing of the Quran
The words of Allah, revealed to Prophet Muhammadﷺ, were first written by his close companions who also memorized them. When the Prophet received Quranic verses, he recited them to his companions. Those who could write recorded them on materials like animal skin, tree stalks, or thin stone sheets. Others who couldn’t write memorized the verses.
In the early days, the Prophet advised his companions to write only the Quranic words and not add or remove anything. This guidance helped protect the Quran from changes.
Traditionally, it’s believed that Hadrat Ali رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُwas the first companion to write down the Quran. The Prophet then chose trustworthy people like Abdullah Ibn Amr Ibn Al-Aas, Muawiah Ibn Abi Sufyan, Zayd Ibn Thabitرَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُم, and others to write and memorize the Quranic verses as they were revealed.
The Quranic Dialects of reciting the Quran.
The Quran was revealed in the Arabic language, as it was the native language of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ and his people. The
وَلَوْ جَعَلْنٰہُ قُرْاٰنًا اَعْجَمِيًّا لَّـقَالُوْا لَوْلَا فُصِّلَتْ اٰيٰتُہٗ ۰ۭؔ ءَ اَعْجَمِيٌّ وَّعَرَبِيٌّ۰ۭ قُلْ ہُوَ لِلَّذِيْنَ اٰمَنُوْا ہُدًى وَّشِفَاۗءٌ۰ۭ وَ الَّذِيْنَ لَا يُؤْمِنُوْنَ فِيْۗ اٰذَانِہِمْ وَقْرٌ وَّہُوَعَلَيْہِمْ عَمًى۰ۭ اُولٰۗىِٕكَ يُنَادَوْنَ مِنْ مَّكَانٍؚبَعِيْدٍ
Translation
If the Quran had been revealed in a language other than Arabic, people might have asked why its verses weren’t made clearer. They might find it strange to hear a non-Arabic scripture while they themselves are Arabs. But tell them: “It is a guide and a healing for the believers. For those who do not believe, it blocks their ears and covers their eyes, as if they are being called from far away.”
Arabic is a beautiful language, and the verses of the Quran are even more eloquent. The Quran was revealed in seven different dialects spoken by the Arabs, as mentioned in Hadith number 3219 of Sahih Al-Bukhari.
Translation
Narrated Ibn `Abbas: Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) said, “Gabriel read the Qur’an to me in one way (i.e. dialect) and I continued asking him to read it in different ways till he read it in seven different ways.”
Compilation of the Quran
Hazrat Ibn Abbas, a cousin of Prophet Muhammadﷺ, said that during Ramadan, the Prophet used to recite the entire Quran before the Angel Gabriel. In the last month of his life, the Prophet recited the Quran twice before Gabriel. This ensured the Quran’s original script was authenticated and passed to his companions.
The Quran was preserved in the hearts of the Prophet’s companions and in written form kept by scribes. During the time of the first Rashidun Caliph, Abu Bakr, the Battle of Yamama resulted in the martyrdom of 70 of the most renowned memorizers of the Quran. Caliph Abu Bakr and his close associates, including Umar, were concerned. Umar suggested compiling the Quran into a single book to preserve its text. After careful consideration, Abu Bakr accepted the suggestion.
Hazrat Zayd Ibn Thabit was tasked with compiling the Quranic verses into a single book. This significant and sensitive task was initiated by Hazrat Zayd Ibn Thabit, as he narrated in Hadith number 4989 of Sahih Al-Bukhari.
Translation
Zaid bin Thabit narrated: Abu Bakr summoned me and instructed, “You used to write down the revelations from Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ). Now, collect them into a single manuscript.” I began compiling the Quran, and eventually found the last two verses of Surah At-Tawbah only with Abi Khuza`ima Al-Ansari. These verses were: ‘Verily there has come unto you an Apostle (Muhammad) from amongst yourselves. It grieves him that you should receive any injury or difficulty…’ (9:128-129).
Once all the Quranic revelations were compiled into a book, Caliph Abu Bakr kept this manuscript. Later, it was passed on to the next Caliph, Hazrat Umar. When Caliph Umar was on his deathbed, he entrusted this compilation to his daughter, Hazrat Hafsa, who was also the wife of Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ). This compilation marks the first collection of the Quran.
Punctuations and Diacritics in the Quran
Originally, the Quran was written without punctuation and diacritics because Arabs could read it correctly without those marks. As Islamic rule expanded beyond Arab lands, non-Arabs found it challenging to pronounce the Quran correctly. To help them, punctuation marks and diacritics were added. Punctuation marks guide readers on pauses and flow during recitation, while diacritics aid in pronouncing words accurately. This practice is known as Tajweed.
The effort to add these marks began during the era of Umayyad Caliph Abd Al-Malik. Abu’l Aswad Al-Du’ali introduced Arabic grammar rules and applied them to the Quran. Later, Umayyad Governor Hajjaj Ibn Yousuf enforced these rules, ensuring the Quran was accessible to readers, enabling precise recitation as it was originally revealed.
The Signifdicance of Quranic Teachings
The Quran covers a wide range of teachings, from governance and societal norms to personal ethics and spirituality. Verses like “Indeed, this Quran guides to that which is most suitable…” (Surah Isra, 17:9) highlight its role as a guiding source.
It addresses various aspects of daily life for Muslims and community dynamics, including laws, justice, and relations with other faiths. The Quran serves as a comprehensive guide, promoting a balanced life, compassion, and justice for everyone.
Learning and Memorizing the Quran
Starting the journey of learning and memorizing the Quran can bring profound rewards. It strengthens your relationship with God and deepens your understanding of faith. Interested in beginning this spiritual journey? Enroll today to access our specialized courses, including our Quran memorization course, and start your path to memorizing the Quran.
conclusion,
the revelation and compilation of the Quran blend divine inspiration with dedicated human endeavor. Exploring who authored the Quran and how it was revealed allows Muslims to forge stronger connections with their faith and offers scholars valuable insights into its profound historical impact.
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